Coupling-release rigging.



PATENTED NOV. 10', 1903. G. P. BITTER.

' COUPLING RELEASE RIGGING.

APPLIGATIOH FILED AUG. 25 1903.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

N0 MODEL.

[NVENTOR WITNESSES:

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PATENTED NOV. 10, 1903.

G. P; BITTER. COUPLING RELEASE RIG-GING.

APPLICXPION FILED AUG. 25, 1903- 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 HO MODEL.

LVVENTOR WITNESSES.-

PATENT racemes November 10, 1903.

EEICE.

GILBERT P. BITTER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

COUPLING-RELEASE FHGGING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 743,560, datedNovember 10, 1 903.

I Application filed August 25, 1903- Serial No. 170,748. (No model.)

and I hereby declare the following to be a full,

clear, and exact description of the same, reference being bad to theaccompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a vertical central sectionof a release-rigging embodying my invention, the

uncoupling-lever and quick-release lever being in elevation and showingthe application of the device to the end of a car. Fig. 2 is a frontelevation of the release-rigging, showing the relative arrangement ofthe several parts. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the release-riggingshown as attached to the carbody and showing the relation of the couplerwith respect thereto. Fig. 4 is a modification showing in a view similarto Fig. 1 a flexible connection between the uncoupling-lever and thepiston in lieu of the rigid connection.

' Vice useless, and in many types of couplers shown in Fig. 1.

Like symbols refer to like parts wherever they occur.

In making up a train and placing them on side tracks, and in allswitching of cars it is desirable that the manual operations of thecoupler should be minimized, and to accomplish this purpose undercertain conditions couplers having the well-known lock-set andknuckleopener features are extensively used. Locksets andknuckle-openers operate successfully when the car to which the coupleris attached is not in motion; but in the more dangerous handling of carswhile in motion such auxiliary devices are uncertain in performing theirfunctions and being uncertain are commonly not depended upon, thedesired result being attained manually.

In cutting a car out of a train and putting it upon a side track one ofthe couplers between the car to be out out and the adjacent carnearerthe locomotive is unlocked andthe car is then backed onto the sidetrack. During this operation and by reason of the fact that thelocomotive does not push steadily and also that it is attimes necessaryto trains, in cutting cars out of i return and give the car that isbeing cut out a second push after what was intended to be the finalimpulse has been given there is a constant vibration of the knuckle ofthe unlocked coupler, such movement being frequently so extended thatthe knuckle is fully opened.

. Since lock-setsare all controlled by the vibrat-ion of the knuckle,some by a slight movement of the knuckle, but all by a full openingmovement, it is apparent that the vibrations of the knuckle heretoforereferred to actuate the lock-set to allow the lock to operate when theknuckle in its vibratory movements assumes a locked position and thatthefcoupler is again lockedaud the cars cannot be separated without afurther manual unlocking ofthe coupler. It therefore results that inswitching of this character the switchmau usually runs beside the carand holds the coupler unlocked by means of the ilncouplinglever, (anexceedingly dangerous practice,) as to lock the uncoupling-lever upwould be to render an auxiliary lock-set dehaving knuckle-openers thevibration of the knuckle acting upon the knuckle opener would, if theuncoupling-lever were locked up, break either the knuckle-opener or theuncoupling-chain connected to the uncoupling-lever.

To overcome the several objections above noted is the object of thepresent invention, and in What manner it is accomplished will behereinafter more particularly described and finally pointed out in theclaims.

Generally stated, my invention consists in controlling thecoupler-locking mechanism by means independent of the knuckle, so thatsaid locking mechanism may be held in an unlocked position during anydesired interval and may then be automatically returned to a lockedposition, and preferably the special means employed embraceafiuid orequivalent mobile medium and a leak therefor, together with suitabledevices independent of the coupler mechanism, which devices are actuatedby the firstnamed medium and when so operated control the lockingmechanism of the coupler.

I will now proceed to describe my invention more fully, so that othersskilled in the art to which it appertains may apply the same. 7

In the drawings of the form of device chosen to illustrate my invention,1 is an uncouplinglever, to which is attached by the uncoupling-chain 1or other suitable means the locking mechanism 2 of the coupler 2.Various characters of these instrumentalities and their relativearrangement and attachments being well known, any of which may beadopted, they need not herein be further described. Secured to the carat any convenient and suitable point and in any suitable manner is acylinder 3, having therein a piston, the head of which is preferablycomposed of separable sections 4: l between which is the cupped packingelement 4, which maybe of any suitable material, and the piston-head ispreferably secured to the piston rod or stem by and between the nut 4and shoulder 4 of the piston-rod; but any form or construction ofpiston-head may be employed.

Within the cylinder 3 and surrounding the piston-rod above thepiston-head is a spring 3 which when the piston has been displacedreturns the same to its normal position.

To the end of the piston-rod, at the end opposite the piston-head and inany suitable manner, is secured a cross-head 5, said crosshead slidingin the guideways 3 3 of the cylinder 3. Interposed between theuncoupling-lever l and the cross-head 5 and pivotally attached to eachis the rigid connecting member 6, through which the piston is actuatedby the movement of the uncoupling-1e; ver 1 and which also coacts withthe uncoupling-lever l and uncoupling-chain l in such manner that themovement of the piston controls the movement of the coupler-lockingmechanism 2*.

If desired, a flexible and inextensible connection 6, as shown in Fig.4, may be substituted between cross-head 5 and uncoupling-lever l inlieu of the rigid connection 6, so that the coupler-locking mechanism 2may be actuated by the uncoupling-lever l independeutly of the piston.

The cylinder 3 is provided with a valve 7, which connects the interiorof the cylinder with the atmosphere, said valve having a leak therein,which is or may be graduated in size by a rotatable plug or cock 7,having a passage therethrough, 7 being a valve-cage secured to thecylinder 3, whereby the valve is guided and limited in its openingmovement.

Opening into the cylinder 3 between the piston-head in its bottomedposition and the valve 7 is the fluid-pressure pipe 8, which preferablytakes its pressure from the trainpipe system, said pressure-pipe 8having therein a two-way cock of any approved construction whichcontrols the ad mission of pressure to the cylinder beneath thepiston-head and the connection of said cylinder 3 through the pipe 8with the atmosphere, thus exhausting the cylinder and accelerating thereturn of the piston to its normal position, and consequently alsoaccelerating the return of the coupler-locking mechanism to a lockedposition, thereby controlling the period of such return movement.

For the purpose of accelerating the return of the coupler-lockingmechanism toalocked position independently of the opening of the two-waycock 8 to the atmosphere a release lever or crank 9 is attached to thecar by suitable bracket-irons, said lever having an arm 9, which whenthe lever is actuated opens the valve 7 by pressing upon the stemthereof, thus exhausting the cylinder to the atmosphere and allowing thequick return of the piston to its normal position, which corresponds toa locked position of the coupler-locking mechanism, and in this manneralso the period of return movement of the couplerlocking mechanism maybe controlled. This latter form of quick-release mechanism is not soreadily available in constructions wherein the valve and leak arelocated in the pistonhead rather than in the cylinder-head.

It is apparent that the device may be used to perform its severalfunctions whether the car to which itis attached is a part of a trainhaving train-pipe pressure or whether the car has no such pressureavailable, for the piston may be actuated to the same purpose by aproper manipulation of the two-way cock 8* or by the operation of theuncoupling-lever 1 and release-lever 9.

The construction being substantially such as hereinbefore pointed out,the device will operate as follows: The rotatable plug having beenadjusted to graduate the leak in the valve 7 to the desired size, whichdetermines the interval between the setting and operation of thedevices, the coupler'locking mechanism may be brought to an unlockedposition by momentarily opening the cock 8 to the source offluid-pressure, thus causing an upward movementof the piston and acompression of the spring 3 which movement is transmitted to thecoupler-locking mechanism through the cross-head 5, connection 6, anduncoupling-lever 1, the valve 7 being held seated by the fluid pressure,or the coupler-locking mechanism may be broughtto an unlocked positionby manually actuating theuncoupling-lever 1, thus causing anupwardmovement of the piston and a compression of the spring 3 throughthe agency of the rigid connection 6 and cross-head 5, the valve 7opening on the upward movement of the piston by reason of the reducedpressure within the cylinder and being seated at the beginning of thereturn movement thereof. In this the upper position of the piston thecoupler-locking mechanism is in such relation to the tail of thecoupler-knuckle that said piston may descend a measurable distancewithout permitting the coupler-locking mechanism to lock the knuckle,the rapidity of the descent of the piston being controlled by the sizeof the leak '7 in the valve 7. The return of the piston to its normal orbottomed position is eifected by the spring 3 said return being gradualowing to the cushioning of the air beneath the piston, thecushioningpressure gradually decreasing as the air escapes through theleak 7, and until the pistonhas descended through a portion of itsstroke the knuckle is free to vibrate in or out to its fullest extent,as before explained.

In case it is desired to quickly release the cushioning-pressure frombeneath the piston and to allow the immediate locking of the couplerafter the piston has assumed its upper position, the same may beeffected by manipulating the two-way cock 8* to connect the cylinder 3with the atmosphere, or the release-lever 9 may be operated to cause theinner arm 9 thereof to contact the projecting stem of the valve 7 andopen the same, thus exhausting the cylinder into the atmosphere.

While a coupler having a particular form of locking mechanism has beenchosen to illustrate my invention, it is evident that any form of suchlocking mechanism maybe employed and that many changes in details ofconstruction may be made without departing from the scope of myinvention.

It is apparent that in some forms of construction the valve and leak maybe located in the piston-head instead of in the cylinder; but the sameis not so desirable when the quick-release mechanism is employed.

Wherever in the claims the locking mechanism is stated to be returned toa locked position, the same shall be understood to also mean theautomatically-controlled return of such locking mechanism to a positionin which a subsequent movement of the knuckle causes a locking of thecoupler.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secureby Letters Patent, is-- 1. In a coupler-release rigging, the combinationwith a coupler havinga pivoted knuckle and lockin g mechanism therefor,of means independent of said knuckle for retaining the locking mechanismin an unlocked position and automatically returning said lockingmechanism to a locked position, substantially as and for the purposesspecified.

2. In a coupler-release rigging, the combination with a coupler having apivoted knuckle and locking mechanism therefor, of means independent ofsaid knuckle for retaining the locking mechanism in an unlocked positionand automatically returning said locking mechanism to a locked position,and means for controlling the period of the return movement of thelocking mechanism to a locked position, substantially as and for thepurposes specified.

3. In a coupler-release rigging, the combination with a coupler and thelocking mechanism therefor, of means independent thereof forautomatically returning said lockingmechanism to a locked position afterthe same has been set in an unlocked position, substantially as and forthe purposes specified.

4:. In a coupler-release rigging, the combination with a coupler and thelocking mechanism therefor, of means independent thereofforautomatically returningsaid locking mechanism to a locked positionafter the same'has been set in an unlocked position, and means forcontrolling the period of the return movement of the locking mechanismto a locked position, substantially as and for the purposes specifled.

5. In a coupler-release rigging, the combination with a coupler and thelocking mechanism therefor, of elastic means whereby the lockingmechanism is retained in an unlocked position and automatically returnedto a locked position, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

6. In a coupler-release rigging, the combination with a coupler and thelocking mechanism therefor, of elastic means whereby the lockingmechanism is retained in an unlocked position and automatically returnedto a locked position, and means for controlling the period of the returnmovement of the locking mechanism to a locked position, substantially asand for the purposes specified 7. In a coupler-release rigging, thecombination with a coupler and the locking mechanism therefor,offluid-pressure means whereby the locking mechanism is retained in anunlocked position and gradually and automatically returned to a lockedposition, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

8. In a coupler-release rigging, the combination with a coupler and thelocking mechanism therefor, of acylinder,'a piston in said cylinder, andmeans whereby the movement of the piston controls the couplerlockingmechanism, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

9. In a coupler-release rigging, the combination with a coupler and thelocking mechanism therefor, of an uncoupling-lever connected to saidlocking mechanism, and means whereby the uncoupling-lever actuates thecoupler-locking mechanism to bring the latter to an unlocked positionand to automatically return the same to a locked position,

anism therefor, of a cylinder, a piston in said cylinder, a Valve havinga leak, and means whereby the movement of the piston controls thecoupler locking mechanism, substantially as and for the purposesspecified.

12. In a coupler-release rigging, the combination with a coupler and thelocking mechanism therefor, of a cylinder, a piston in said cylinder,means for actuating said piston, means for retarding the movement of thepiston in one direction, and means whereby the movement of the pistoncontrols the couplerlocking mechanism, substantially as and for thepurposes specified.

13. In a coupler-release rigging, the combination with a coupler and thelocking mechanism therefor, of a cylinder, a piston in said cylinder,means for actuating said piston, means for retarding the movement of thepis ton in one direction, means for releasing the retarding means, andmeans whereby the movement of the piston controls the couplerlockingmechanism, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

14:. In a coupler-release rigging, the combination with a coupler andthe locking mechanism therefor, of a cylinder, a piston in saidcylinder, a spring acting upon said piston, and means whereby themovement of the pistoncontrols the coupler-locking mechanism,substantially as and for the purposes specified.

15. In a coupler-release rigging, the combination with a coupler and thelocking mechanism therefor, of a cylinder, a piston in said cylinder, aspring acting upon said piston, a valve in said cylinder, and meanswhereby the movement of the piston controls the coupler-lockingmechanism, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

16. In a coupler-release rigging, the combination with a coupler and thelocking mechanism therefor, of a cylinder, a piston in said cylinder, aspring acting upon said piston, a valve in said cylinder said valveprovided with a leak, and means whereby the movement of the pistoncontrols the coupler-locking mechanism, substantially as and for thepurposes specified.

17. In a coupler-release rigging, the combination with a coupler and thelocking mechanism therefor, of an uncoupling-lever, a cylinder, a pistonin said cylinder, a rigid con necting member interposed between theuncoupling-lever and the piston, and means for actuating said piston,substantially as and for the purposes specified.

18. In a coupler-release rigging, the combination with a coupler and thelocking mechanism therefor, ofa cylinder, a piston in said cylinder, avalve automatically opened by the movement of the piston in onedirection, means independent of said piston for opening said valve, andmeans whereby the movement of the piston controls the coupler-lock- 'ingmechanism, substantially as and for the nation with a coupler and thelocking mechanism therefor, of a cylinder having a guideway adapted toreceive a cross-head, a piston having a cross-head secured to the stemthereof, an uncoupling-lever, a rigid connection between the cross-headof said piston and said uncoupling-lever, avalve in said cylinder,andmeans whereby the movement of the piston controls the cou pler-lockin gmechanism, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

20. In a coupler-release rigging, the combination with a coupler and thelocking mechanism therefor, of a cylinder having a valve therein, apiston in said cylinder, an uncoupling-lever, a rigid connection betweensaid piston and said uncoupling lever, and a spring acting upon saidpiston and opposed to an uncoupling movement of said uncoupling-lever,substantially as' and for the purposes specified.

21. In a coupler-release rigging, the combination with a coupler and thelocking mechanism therefor, of an uncoupling-lever adapted to actuate apiston in one direction, a piston,and means whereby the piston controlsthe return movement of said uncoupling-lever,

dium, and means operated by the transfer of the mobile medium foractuating the look.- ing mechanism of the coupler, substantially as andfor the purposes specified.

23. In a coupler-release rigging, the combination with a coupler and itslocking mechanism, of a cylinder and its piston, a valve,

and a leak, and means for actuating the looking mechanism of the couplerfrom the piston of the cylinder, substantially as and for the purposesspecified.

24. In a coupler-release rigging, the combination with a coupler and itslocking mechanism, of a cylinder and its piston, a leak, means foractuating the piston of the cylinder, and means for actuating thelocking mechanism of the coupler from the piston of the cylinder,substantially as and for the purposes specified.

25. In a coupler-release rigging, the combination with a coupler and itslocking mechanism,of a mobile medium,a receptacle therefor, a leak forthe transfer of the mobile medium, means for controlling the size of theleak, and means operated by the transfer of the mobile medium foractuating the locking mechanism of the coupler, substantially as and forthe purposes specified.

26. In a coupler-release rigging, the combination with a coupler and thelocking mechin presence of two witnesses, this 25th day of August, 1903.

GILBERT P. BIT TER.

Witnesses:

WM. E. DYRE, HUGH M. STERLING.

